Biological Macromolecules Quiz

Biological Macromolecules

• Definition: Large, organic molecules crucial for life.
• Monomer: Small, repeating units ("building blocks") that combine to form polymers.
• Polymer: Larger molecules made up of repeating monomer units.

Types of Macromolecules

Carbohydrates (CHO)

• Composition: Primarily carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Simple Carbohydrates:
  • Monosaccharides: Single sugar units (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose); cannot be broken down further.
  • Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides bonded together (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose).
• Complex Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides): Three or more monosaccharides linked together (e.g., starch, glycogen, fiber).

Lipids (CHO)

• Characteristics: Mostly insoluble in water, soluble in non-polar solvents.
• Composition: Fatty acids and glycerol.
• Types of Fatty Acids:
  • Saturated: No double bonds, straight chain, solid at room temperature.
  • Trans: One or more double bonds, straight chain, semi-solid/solid at room temperature.
  • Monounsaturated: One double bond (cis configuration), bent chain, liquid at room temperature.
  • Polyunsaturated: Multiple double bonds (cis configuration), highly bent chain, liquid at room temperature.
• Triglycerides: Glycerol + 3 fatty acids; primary energy storage.
• Phospholipids: 2 fatty acids + phosphate group + glycerol; major component of cell membranes.
• Steroids: 4 ring structure; impact membrane fluidity and act as hormones.
• Waxes: Alcohol chain + fatty acid chain; prevent water loss in plants.

Proteins (CHON)

• Composition: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
• Structure: Chains of amino acids (polypeptides).
  • Primary Structure: Sequence of amino acids.
  • Secondary Structure: Localized folding (alpha-helix, beta-sheet).
  • Tertiary Structure: Overall 3D shape of polypeptide chain.
  • Quaternary Structure: Multiple polypeptide chains interacting.
• Functions: Enzymes (e.g., amylase), hormones (e.g., insulin), structural components (e.g., collagen, keratin).

Amino Acids (CHONP)

• Definition: Building blocks of proteins.
• Note: Some amino acids are essential (must be obtained from diet).

Nucleic Acids

• Definition: Essential for genetic information storage and expression in all cells (and viruses).
• Composition: Nucleotides (nitrogenous base + pentose sugar + phosphate group).

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

• Function: Stores genetic code for building and maintaining an organism, hereditary information, dictates protein synthesis.
• Role in Protein Synthesis: Guides the assembly of amino acids into proteins by providing instructions.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

• Function: Carries genetic instructions from nucleus (DNA) to cytoplasm, helps ribosomes select amino acids, and controls gene expression.

Central Dogma

• Description: The flow of genetic information in living organisms: DNA → RNA → Protein.
• Transcription: DNA sequence copied into RNA molecule.
• Translation: RNA's genetic code decoded into the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
• Exceptions: RNA splicing, alternative splicing, epigenetic modifications, reverse transcription.

Test your knowledge on biological macromolecules with this engaging quiz. Covering carbohydrates, lipids, and their monomer and polymer structures, this quiz will challenge your understanding of these essential biological components. Ideal for students studying biology or related fields.